Insertion tool for inter-body vertebral prosthetic device with self-deploying screws

Abstract

An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal includes: a handle including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input about a central axis; a first drive shaft including a proximal end in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis; and a distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head; and a chuck disposed at a distal end of the tool for engaging the intervertebral prosthesis during implantation, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the chuck and the first drive head engages a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal, comprising:
 a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input; 
 a main drive gear rotatable about a central axis, and coupled to, and receiving the rotational torque from, the drive nut; 
 a first drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; the proximal end including a first pickup gear in meshed communication with the main drive gear, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis; and the distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head; 
 a chuck disposed at the distal end of the tool and being sized and shaped to engage the intervertebral prosthesis during implantation, 
 wherein the first drive shaft extends through the chuck such that the first drive head operates to engage a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; the proximal end including a second pickup gear in meshed communication with the main drive gear, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the second drive shaft about a second axis, which is laterally offset from both the central axis and the first axis; and the distal end of the second drive shaft including a second drive head, 
 wherein the second drive head operates to engage a second gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the second gear causes rotation and deployment of a second anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second drive shafts are substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the main drive gear and the first and second drive gears are spur gears. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first and second drive shafts lay in a plane that is oblique to a longitudinal axis of the intervertebral prosthesis; and 
 the intervertebral prosthesis includes a body having first and second spaced apart major surfaces and at least anterior and posterior sidewalls extending therebetween, the first major surface for engaging an endplate of a first vertebral bone of the spine, and the second major surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent, second vertebral bone of the spine, and the longitudinal axis extends substantially normal to the first and second major surfaces. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a central drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; 
 the proximal end coupled to the main drive gear, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the central drive shaft about the central axis; and the distal end of the central drive shaft including a central drive head, 
 wherein the central drive head operates to engage a central gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the central gear causes rotation and deployment of one or more anchoring elements of the intervertebral prosthesis. 
 
     
     
       7. (The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a central housing, wherein the handle is connecting to one end thereof and the chuck is connected to an opposite end thereof. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a retaining rod extending through the central housing and operating to couple the intervertebral prosthesis to the chuck during insertion thereof into the spine. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal, comprising:
 an insertion tool, comprising: (i) a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input about a central axis; and a first drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; the proximal end in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis; and the distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head, 
 a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a chuck disposed at the distal end of the tool and being sized and shaped to engage the intervertebral prosthesis during implantation, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the chuck such that the first drive head operates to engage the first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; the proximal end being in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the second drive shaft about a second axis, which is laterally offset from both the central axis and the first axis; and the distal end of the second drive shaft including a second drive head, 
 wherein the second drive head operates to engage a second gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the second gear causes rotation and deployment of a second anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis.